Tuscaloosa Ntl Airport to MC Ghee Tyson Airport TCL → TYS
237 nautical miles (273 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 048°, about 048° magnetic at the departure end (variation 0E). At 120 knots that is 1 h 53 min at the quickest height in today's winds (24,000 ft, a 6-knot tailwind), arriving about 10:47 pm EDT (02:47 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now TCL is VFR, wind calm; TYS is marginal VFR, wind from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 7 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET TANGO 6W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 28,000 ft to 40,000 ft. Over the first 119 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 4E: mountains obscured by cloud (due to mountains obscured by clouds, precipitation, mist). Over the last 69 nm of the route.
- AIRMET SIERRA 3E: low cloud or poor visibility (IFR conditions) (due to ceilings below 1,000 ft, visibility below 3 miles, precipitation, mist). Near the route, 188 nm along the route.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from TCL.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- B712 at 30,000 ft, 25 nm southwest, 6:09 pm CDT (23:09 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZME46. At the departure end, 25 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CBM UA /OV IGB135050/TM 2309/FL300/TP B712/TB CONS LGT CHOP/RM ZME46
- Report
- a routine report filed through CBM
- Where
- 50 nm southeast (135°) of IGB
- Time
- 23:09 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Turbulence
- continuous light chop
- Remarks
- ZME46
- A21N at 34,000 ft, 25 nm southwest, 6:05 pm CDT (23:05 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence, remarks: ZME46. At the departure end, 25 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CBM UA /OV IGB135050/TM 2305/FL340/TP A21N/TB LGT-MOD CHOP/RM ZME46
- Report
- a routine report filed through CBM
- Where
- 50 nm southeast (135°) of IGB
- Time
- 23:05 UTC
- Height
- at 34,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A21N
- Turbulence
- light to moderate chop
- Remarks
- ZME46
- UAL1770 at 34,000 ft, 47 nm southwest, 5:55 pm CDT (22:55 UTC): light chop turbulence, wind 349° at 61 knots. At the departure end, 47 nm southwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ARP UAL1770 3230N 08800W 2255 F340 349/061KT TB CONT LGT CHOP CONT LGT TURB IC
- Report
- a routine report filed through ARP
- B712 at 3,000 ft, 2 nm east, 6:13 pm CDT (23:13 UTC): scattered clouds from 3,000 ft to 3,200 ft; clear from 3,200 ft to 60,000 ft. 158 nm along the route, 2 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV CHA180005/TM 2313/FL030/TP B712/SK SCT030-TOP032/SKC
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- 5 nm south (180°) of CHA
- Time
- 23:13 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B712
- Sky
- SCT030-TOP032 C
- CRJ9 at 3,000 ft, 5 nm north, 5:51 pm CDT (22:51 UTC): overcast from 3,000 ft to 4,000 ft. 158 nm along the route, 5 nm north of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV 090005/TM 2251/FL030/TP CRJ9/SK OVC030-TOP040
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- wind from 090° at 5 knots
- Time
- 22:51 UTC
- Height
- at 3,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Sky
- overcast from 3,000 ft, tops 4,000 ft
- T206 at 9,000 ft, 34 nm northwest, 5:47 pm CDT (22:47 UTC): remarks: ZME60. 168 nm along the route, 34 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
CHA UA /OV CHA340032/TM 2247/FL090/TP T206/SK TOP070/RM ZME60
- Report
- a routine report filed through CHA
- Where
- 32 nm north (340°) of CHA
- Time
- 22:47 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- T206
- Sky
- TOP070
- Remarks
- ZME60
- E170 at 33,000 ft, 16 nm northwest, 5:22 pm CDT (22:22 UTC): light to moderate chop turbulence above 33,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-03. 227 nm along the route, 16 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV VXV270025/TM 2222/FL330/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD CHOP 330/RM ZTLFD-03
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- 25 nm west (270°) of VXV
- Time
- 22:22 UTC
- Height
- at 33,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate chop at 33,000 ft
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-03
- CRJ9 at 30,000 ft, 45 nm east, 5:46 pm CDT (22:46 UTC): light to moderate turbulence above 30,000 ft, remarks: ZTLFD-42. At the destination end, 45 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV VXV090040/TM 2246/FL300/TP CRJ9/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD 300/RM ZTLFD-42
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- 40 nm east (090°) of VXV
- Time
- 22:46 UTC
- Height
- at 30,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ9
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate at 30,000 ft
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-42
- E75S at 29,000 ft, 7 nm northeast, 5:21 pm CDT (22:21 UTC): light to moderate turbulence, remarks: ZTLFD-39. At the destination end, 7 nm northeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
TYS UA /OV VXV/TM 2221/FL290/TP E75S/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD/RM ZTLFD-39
- Report
- a routine report filed through TYS
- Where
- over VXV
- Time
- 22:21 UTC
- Height
- at 29,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75S
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate
- Remarks
- ZTLFD-39
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 20:00–03:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 3 forecast points nearest it (BHM, HSV, TYS). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 ft | 300° at 18 kt | −5 kt | 125 kt | 1 h 54 min | 10:48 pm EDT (02:48 UTC) | |
| 5,500 ft | 320° at 26 kt | +1 kt | 119 kt | 1 h 59 min | 10:53 pm EDT (02:53 UTC) | |
| 7,500 ft | 320° at 30 kt | +3 kt | 12 °C | 117 kt | 2 h 02 min | 10:56 pm EDT (02:56 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 330° at 33 kt | +4 kt | 8 °C | 116 kt | 2 h 03 min | 10:57 pm EDT (02:57 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 330° at 36 kt | +7 kt | 6 °C | 113 kt | 2 h 06 min | 11:00 pm EDT (03:00 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 330° at 36 kt | +5 kt | 2 °C | 115 kt | 2 h 04 min | 10:58 pm EDT (02:58 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 320° at 35 kt | +2 kt | -2 °C | 118 kt | 2 h 01 min | 10:55 pm EDT (02:55 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 320° at 35 kt | −1 kt | -6 °C | 121 kt | 1 h 58 min | 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 320° at 35 kt | −2 kt | -7 °C | 122 kt | 1 h 57 min | 10:51 pm EDT (02:51 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 310° at 33 kt | −6 kt | -18 °C | 126 kt | 1 h 53 min | 10:47 pm EDT (02:47 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 310° at 39 kt | −4 kt | -34 °C | 124 kt | 1 h 55 min | 10:49 pm EDT (02:49 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 320° at 37 kt | −1 kt | -40 °C | 121 kt | 1 h 58 min | 10:52 pm EDT (02:52 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 310° at 27 kt | −4 kt | -48 °C | 124 kt | 1 h 55 min | 10:49 pm EDT (02:49 UTC) |
Based on data from the 11th at 18:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 00:00 UTC for use 20:00 to 03:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHM | used from 0 nm out; 25 nm from the line | 300/16 | 330/32 16° | 320/37 11° | 330/37 6° | 310/33 -7° | 310/30 -18° | 320/40 -34° | 330/43 -41° | 330/30 -49° |
| HSV | used from 99 nm out; 51 nm from the line | 290/15 | 330/34 16° | 330/38 11° | 330/40 5° | 320/36 -7° | 320/31 -18° | 320/44 -34° | 330/53 -41° | 330/34 -48° |
| TYS | used from 148 nm out; 64 nm from the line | 290/19 | 310/22 11° | 330/25 7° | 330/34 3° | 320/37 -7° | 300/37 -18° | 300/37 -34° | 280/29 -39° | 270/29 -48° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL Tuscaloosa, AL | departure | VFR | calm | 10+ mi | none | 169 ft | 6:53 pm CDT (23:53 UTC) |
| EKY Bessemer, AL | 30 nm out, 19 nm southeast of the line | marginal VFR Sky: a few clouds at 4,200 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet, overcast at 7,000 feet Weather: rain, mist | from the northeast (050°) at 16 knots, gusting to 23 | 4 mi | 6,000 ft | 699 ft | 03:56 UTC |
| BHM Birmingham, AL | 49 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 3,200 feet | from the west (280°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | none | 650 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| CHA Chattanooga, TN | 158 nm out, 5 nm north of the line, tower | marginal VFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,300 feet, overcast at 2,800 feet | from the west-southwest (250°) at 4 knots | 10+ mi | 2,300 ft | 682 ft | 23:53 UTC |
| MMI Athens, TN | 198 nm out, 3 nm east of the line | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,900 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 1,900 ft | 874 ft | 00:35 UTC |
| TYS Knoxville, TN | destination | marginal VFR Sky: overcast at 1,600 feet | from the south-southwest (210°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | 1,600 ft | 986 ft | 8:53 pm EDT (00:53 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 986 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At TYS when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 10:47 pm EDT (02:47 UTC)
Wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet marginal VFR
The whole forecast for TYS
- From Sun 8:00 pm EDT (00:00 UTC): wind from the west-southwest at 9 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 1,000 feet, a broken layer at 1,500 feet
- From Mon 3:00 am EDT (07:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, a broken layer at 2,500 feet
- From Mon 8:00 am EDT (12:00 UTC): wind light and variable, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 3,500 feet, scattered clouds at 25,000 feet
The forecast for TCL, the departure
- From Sun 7:00 pm CDT (00:00 UTC): wind calm, visibility more than 6 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet
- At times between Mon 5:00 am CDT (10:00 UTC) and 9:00 am CDT (14:00 UTC): visibility 5 miles, mist
- From Mon 11:00 am CDT (16:00 UTC): wind from the west-northwest at 5 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, clear skies
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at TCL 6:20 pm CDT (23:20 UTC), at TYS 7:04 pm EDT (23:04 UTC) (civil twilight ends 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at TYS is after sunset there (7:05 pm EDT (23:05 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Tuscaloosa Ntl Airport, MC Ghee Tyson Airport.